At first glance the URL seems to imply that the tray itself is made from metal taken from the Challenger which would be, at a minimum, illegal for Coca-Cola to produce such an item.

But fortunately, it's not.

Robert Pearlman

Had the tray had been produced at the time of Coca-Cola's flight on Challenger (STS-51F) or even made later to specifically commemorate the flight, its value would be greater as space memorabilia, however that doesn't appear to be the case.

The launch pictured is STS-7, the maiden flight of Challenger in 1983.

The tray, as the Worthpoint page provides, was produced for a 1992 Coca-Cola collector's convention in Orlando. The location of the meeting was probably what inspired the use of the shuttle photo.

As such, I would say the tray has very little value as space memorabilia, but may be of greater interest to Coca-Cola collectors.

Zach121k

Thanks Robert.

Now, if I get a Challenger Coke can from Space Camp.... I would love to drink out of it.

Robert Pearlman

You're referring to the plastic replica cans that Space Camp sold in the 1980s? I have one that I did drink from at Camp before retiring it as a collectible...

Zach121k

Yes I am. That would be the crown jewel of my Coca Cola collection.

Robert Pearlman

Depending on how much you want to invest, you might also be able to find one of the Coca-Cola produced replica displays that were provided to its distributors and museums. It will cost you significantly more than the plastic replica (of which, a quick search reveals at least one on eBay right now) but is probably the key piece to a Coca-Cola in Space collection...

Zach121k

Yeah. I was eyeing the can. I would love an official one, but I would not have anywhere near the amount of money. And it seems the Pepsi cans are cheaper and more abundant.

I guess that one isn't reusable.

Robert Pearlman

Coca-Cola invested millions into developing its beverage dispenser for STS-51F. It wasn't until Pepsi Co. learned that Coca-Cola was flying that they lobbied for equal treatment and quickly threw together the design they flew.

Pepsi produced its own replica cans. Coca-Cola resisted commercializing its flight, authorizing only the Space Camp replica (the company was a supporter of Space Camp) and just a few items for internal distribution (a lapel pin and a t-shirt among them).

Zach121k

"Quickly"

It shows. It's a whipped cream can.

So the Pepsi ones were "mass produced". Noted. That makes sence to why the Coke ones go for much more.

I wish I could stumble upon either the the Space Camp or official cans.

The replica Pepsi cans are for display only, they cannot be used (or reused). The replica cans produced by Coca-Cola for distributors and museums were not able to used, either.

The Space Camp plastic replica Coca-Cola cans can be reused, but they open using a design that differs from the cans that flew in space.

Both the Pepsi and Coca-Cola cans that were flown on STS-51F were not designed to be reusable. Coca-Cola's later design for a dispenser and cup/bottle system, as flown on STS-63 and STS-77, was reusable.

quote:Originally posted by Zach121k:And Robert, are there any replicas for sale currently?

What do you think, would be the value of one useable Cola can flown into ISS? I don't have one, I am just curious.

Robert Pearlman

To my knowledge, Coca-Cola (or Pepsi) has not been flown to the International Space Station — at least not as sanctioned by either company or NASA.

Coca-Cola flew its beverage dispensers on three flights: STS-51F, STS-63 and STS-77. Pepsi only flew on STS-51F.

A flown example from STS-51F would probably be the most valuable on the market, as that flight received the most attention publicly (headlines ran proclaiming "Cola Wars in Space").

From a sheer cool factor, the pressurized cups flown on STS-63 look the most "spacey." The bottles flown on STS-77 look almost as if they came off the shelf from your local store, except for their interior bag.

Now, a locker-mounted dispenser from either STS-63 or STS-77 would be amazing, but to my knowledge they are all in museums.

If a regular, store-bought can or bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi flew to the ISS, I'm sure there would be interest in it (if sufficient provenance existed that it flew) but not as much as one of the cans or bottles specifically designed for spaceflight.

I imagine the greater interest in such an ISS-flown beverage would come from Coca-Cola collectors, rather than space memorabilia enthusiasts.

streetsnake

Zack, Is this what you are looking for? I have seen them come up occasionally on EB or auction.

Zach121k

quote:Originally posted by streetsnake:Zack, is this what you are looking for?

Yes. Yes it is.

When it comes to collecting, I have a decent size of Coke memorabilia. Probably not as worthy as some to have that can, but space is my passion, and Coke is my colletion.

Zach121k

If anyone is wondering, here is what my collection looks like as of today.